By Gary Keith, Lead Pastor
Each morning I wake up and make a very important decision – “What will I wear today?” When it comes to clothes, I like to buy my own and make my own choices about what to wear. So making that decision is one I’ve been making for decades.
Most days making that choice is a fairly simple one. I realize for women it might be a bit more complicated, but for us men most of the time it’s just routine. But then there are those days when I stand in my closet and can’t decide. And it’s those days that I find myself wondering, “Did I make a good choice? Do I look okay today?”
This probably sounds silly to some of you, but I know for others choosing the right clothes is essential to your vocational success. But have you ever asked yourself, “What do I put on as a Jesus follower?” Now obviously I’m not
referring to clothes (although I do think what clothes Jesus followers wear is
very important), but right now I want us to think about something different.
I want us to think about being the kind of person who reflects Jesus.
Think with me about that as we read something Paul wrote in Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Okay, so Paul says we are to clothe ourselves with much more than the garments we wear
on our bodies. He says we are to clothe ourselves with a certain attitude and behavior that reflects the one we follow, Jesus. Let’s look at these five things
Paul says we are to be clothed with.
Compassion – When you think of compassion, simply think of it as loving with your guts. It’s a response of love to someone who needs to know that someone cares and is willing to love him or her.
Kindness – Think of kindness as loaning your strength to someone else. It is responding to someone who may be different than you by offering him or her something you have.
Humility – This is where you see yourself as you really are in relationship to
others and to God. Someone once said it’s not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
Gentleness – This is a decision that says, “My relationship with you is more important than my dominance in your life.” It’s a response that “gears down”
so that your concern is for what’s best for the other person.
Patience – Think of patience as a decision to go the speed of another person. I know that for me to have patience I must slow down and move at the pace of the person I want to love for Jesus.
Paul has more to say about what clothes we are to put on and we’ll talk more about that next month. But for now join me in making a decision to not only put on physical clothes, but to also clothe yourself with these five qualities and let’s see how our passionate pursuit of LIFE in Jesus is changed.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
This Weekend's Message: Being Disciples, Making Disciples
I went to seminary in my mid-forties. It had been a long time since I had been in college and as you might guess, I didn't know if I could handle all that would be required of me. But one thing I knew: I wanted to learn. I wanted to learn about what I didn't know. So even in the midst of my concerns I signed up and started classes. It wasn't long before I heard about one particular teacher. Everyone had two things to say about this teacher: 1) He will be the hardest teacher you ever have and 2) You will learn more from him than you thought possible.
I still remember the first day of class with this dreaded teacher. He was everything I had been told and my experience was just like what everyone had told me. It was the hardest twelve weeks of my grad-school experience, but it was also the most memorable. I learned so much! This week we are going to learn what it means to allow Jesus to be our teacher. We may not often think of Jesus in this way, but if we are going to be His disciple, we must learn from Him so that we can be like Him.
This week we will look at the last words Jesus had to say after His resurrection and before He ascended to the Father. These words will activate us into a way of living that will guide us in our passionate pursuit of LIFE in Jesus and leading our neighbors to do the same.
See you Sunday...
Gary
Life Kids Kicks Off a New Curriculum
By Laurie Baiz, Director of Life Kids Children’s Ministry
As our kids are getting back into the swing of school, Life Kids Children’s Ministry is also kicking off our new curriculum, David C Cook Tru. The kids are learning the message from a storyteller that brings the word to life and encourages the kids to be a part of it. There is a memory verse program to get involved in. They are taught about the different ways that they can worship – through prayer, acts of service, giving, and singing. During small group time there are discussions that dig a little deeper into the message. And each class closes with the small group leaders blessing the kids and sending them out knowing they can also be a blessing to others. Then they take home a paper that informs the parents about the lesson that will be taught the next week and questions that they can discuss as a family. This simple tool can be useful for meaningful family discussion.
Would you like to help as a super sub? Call me to find out how you can get involved at (909) 981-4848, ext. 242.
As our kids are getting back into the swing of school, Life Kids Children’s Ministry is also kicking off our new curriculum, David C Cook Tru. The kids are learning the message from a storyteller that brings the word to life and encourages the kids to be a part of it. There is a memory verse program to get involved in. They are taught about the different ways that they can worship – through prayer, acts of service, giving, and singing. During small group time there are discussions that dig a little deeper into the message. And each class closes with the small group leaders blessing the kids and sending them out knowing they can also be a blessing to others. Then they take home a paper that informs the parents about the lesson that will be taught the next week and questions that they can discuss as a family. This simple tool can be useful for meaningful family discussion.
Would you like to help as a super sub? Call me to find out how you can get involved at (909) 981-4848, ext. 242.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Sharing Faith Through Commitment, Empowering in Nicaragua
By Stacy Townsend, Team Nicaragua Team Member
When we first arrived in Nicaragua, the hot, humid weather immediately testified I was far from home. The luscious sugar cane and corn of the local agriculture dressed the landscape in bright green, feeding the gaunt grazing horses on the side of the streets.
All the honking made me nervous until I understood that honking is a polite thing to do in Nicaragua. Apparently it means ‘I see you, don’t worry.’
People were out selling their wares, fruit, and water in sealed plastic bags at every stoplight in Managua. Eric and Ronaldo, the members of the Living Water crew who picked us up at the airport, told us that the water was not safe for us to drink. As we entered more rural areas, we saw the expansive Lake Managua and the distant peaks of volcanoes on the horizon.
We drove over an hour to the northwest region to a home in León, where our group stayed while we helped repair the broken water wells and pumps. We also taught mothers and children about sanitation and hygiene using a curriculum called Clean Hands, Clean Hearts, incorporating Bible stories and crafts that shared the love of God. We spent the first day orienting ourselves and learning more about the operations and condition in Nicaragua.
On Sunday we went to church and then helped another mission group pass out food and soap in a very poor community. The homes were either simple squares of space surrounded by handmade blocks of the volcanic sediment from the region, or held together by sticks and twine covered with plastic to keep the rain out.
We visited several homes that day, but two in particular were touching to me. We were invited into a small tent where a little girl, maybe 8 years old, was cradled in a hammock. Her mother, father, aunt, and cousin were by her side. The Living Water Crew assessed the situation and told us that the child had been sick – bleeding from the nose for over a week – likely with Dengue fever. We spoke of our concern and prayed with the family. The family cried silent tears, but the little girl smiled weakly. As we left we were reassured the family was taking her to the doctor for treatment.
When we first arrived in Nicaragua, the hot, humid weather immediately testified I was far from home. The luscious sugar cane and corn of the local agriculture dressed the landscape in bright green, feeding the gaunt grazing horses on the side of the streets.
All the honking made me nervous until I understood that honking is a polite thing to do in Nicaragua. Apparently it means ‘I see you, don’t worry.’
People were out selling their wares, fruit, and water in sealed plastic bags at every stoplight in Managua. Eric and Ronaldo, the members of the Living Water crew who picked us up at the airport, told us that the water was not safe for us to drink. As we entered more rural areas, we saw the expansive Lake Managua and the distant peaks of volcanoes on the horizon.
We drove over an hour to the northwest region to a home in León, where our group stayed while we helped repair the broken water wells and pumps. We also taught mothers and children about sanitation and hygiene using a curriculum called Clean Hands, Clean Hearts, incorporating Bible stories and crafts that shared the love of God. We spent the first day orienting ourselves and learning more about the operations and condition in Nicaragua.
On Sunday we went to church and then helped another mission group pass out food and soap in a very poor community. The homes were either simple squares of space surrounded by handmade blocks of the volcanic sediment from the region, or held together by sticks and twine covered with plastic to keep the rain out.
We visited several homes that day, but two in particular were touching to me. We were invited into a small tent where a little girl, maybe 8 years old, was cradled in a hammock. Her mother, father, aunt, and cousin were by her side. The Living Water Crew assessed the situation and told us that the child had been sick – bleeding from the nose for over a week – likely with Dengue fever. We spoke of our concern and prayed with the family. The family cried silent tears, but the little girl smiled weakly. As we left we were reassured the family was taking her to the doctor for treatment.
This Weekend's Message: The Role of a Lifetime
The actor John Cazale had a short but memorable career in the 1970s. He appeared in only five films before his premature death from cancer, but all five of his movies were nominated for Best Picture and three of them won. He played supporting parts in The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, and The Deer Hunter. Most actors would consider any of his five roles as the role of a lifetime. While his film list pales in comparison to that of most actors, the impact of his brief career far exceeds most others.
Most of us live our lives as if we aspire to be the star of a story. Frankly, we don’t even tend to care how great the story is, just as long as we get to star in it. Through His gospel, however, Jesus calls us to play a role in His story. We are not the star, but instead we are role players. At the same time, taking part in His story is the role of a lifetime. This Sunday we will talk about what it takes for each of us to embrace the role that we have been given.
Dan
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Perspectives Course Coming Our Way
By Carol Hawkins, Missions Coordinator
There’s a course coming to our area that I want to tell you about. It’s called Perspectives. It’s an exciting 15-week course that teaches about God’s perspective on the World Christian Movement, and it helps all believers see how they can get threaded into God’s story of redeeming people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This isn’t a class about “missions,” but it’s about how every believer can be intimately woven into the story of God using His people to be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth. It takes you through the scriptures to show you how God has been working in His people to be a light that draws others to Himself.
Each week there is a different instructor who may be a biblical scholar, a missionary, a pastor, or professor. These instructors are experts in their field, giving an excellent perspective on their topic.
There are three options in taking this course: for undergraduate or graduate level credit, for a certificate, or to just take the course for your own benefit. Each level requires a different amount of reading and homework.
I took this course several years ago and it was such an encouragement and blessing. I highly recommend it.
Perspectives begins September 15 and will be held in Chino at The Bridge church on Sundays, from 5-8 p.m.
If you’d like more information, please check out the website, perspectives.org. Or please email me with questions.
There’s a course coming to our area that I want to tell you about. It’s called Perspectives. It’s an exciting 15-week course that teaches about God’s perspective on the World Christian Movement, and it helps all believers see how they can get threaded into God’s story of redeeming people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This isn’t a class about “missions,” but it’s about how every believer can be intimately woven into the story of God using His people to be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth. It takes you through the scriptures to show you how God has been working in His people to be a light that draws others to Himself.
Each week there is a different instructor who may be a biblical scholar, a missionary, a pastor, or professor. These instructors are experts in their field, giving an excellent perspective on their topic.
There are three options in taking this course: for undergraduate or graduate level credit, for a certificate, or to just take the course for your own benefit. Each level requires a different amount of reading and homework.
I took this course several years ago and it was such an encouragement and blessing. I highly recommend it.
Perspectives begins September 15 and will be held in Chino at The Bridge church on Sundays, from 5-8 p.m.
If you’d like more information, please check out the website, perspectives.org. Or please email me with questions.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
This Weekend's Message: Private and Public Purposes
When a football team is assembled, it has one purpose: to win. To win games, to win a division, and to win a championship. Now, each player on the team has his own purpose. Some players’ purpose is to block. Other players have the purpose of tackling. Other players have the purpose of running or throwing or catching or kicking. But in the end, each player has the same purpose: to win. It is meaningless to them if they technically fulfill their purpose, but the team is unable to fulfill its purpose. Their individual purposes are all wrapped up in the team purpose.
Many people want to discover their purpose in life. Bookstores are filled with books (both Christian and secular) concerning how people can find purpose in life. Most of the time, we are told to discover what we want to do, and then to make that of utmost importance to us. By contrast, the gospel of Jesus tells us that there is something that is of utmost importance, and then invites us to make our lives all about that. We do each have an individual purpose and calling, but those purposes are all swallowed up in God’s purpose. It matters very little if we succeed in some chosen purpose if we do not revolve our lives around God’s purpose.
On Sunday we will look at the fact that God has a purpose for each of us, but we only find our purpose when we allow ourselves to be caught up in His big purpose.
Dan
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